Rail fastener and support.



H. P. WHITE.

RAIL FASTENER AND SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.1, 1911.

1,048,618, 1 Patented Dec.31, 1912.

HENRY WHITE, 0F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

RAIL FASTENER AND SUPPORT.

Application filed December 1, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY I. IVnrrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Fasteners and Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rail fasteners and supports.

The device is, in effect, a combination tie plate, rail clamp and rail brace, and is particularly useful as a curve protector by preventing the tipping and spreading of the rail.

The main object of the invention is to provide a rail fastener and support which shall be very secure, present a broad base under the base of the rail,that is, in effect, integral therewith, and afford a strong brace for the head of the rail besides.

Further objects, and objects pertaining to details and economies of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of my improved fastening device, showing the attachment of the same to a rail and secured in position by spikes, the same being taken from the brace side or outside of the rail, the wedge lock retaining spike being removed. Fig. II is a similar perspective view from the opposite or inside of the rail. Fig. III is a detail transverse sectional elevation through the device in position on a rail, showing the position and arrangement of parts, and the way of holding the same by the railroad spikes. Fig. IV is a detail sectional View on line 44 of Fig. III, showing the tapered or wedge action of the wedge lock brace piece in its relation to the other parts. Fig. V is a detail perspective view of the base plate before it is put in position. Fig. VI is a detail perspective view of the Wedge lock brace piece. I

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31,1912.

Serial No. 663,387.

similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Considering the reference characters in the drawing, the railroad rail 1 is of the usualconstruction with a base, web and head. I provide a base plate or chair 2 011 which the said rail rests. This is provided at its inner end, or on the end which engages the inner edge of the base of the rail, with a pair of upwardly-projecting lugs 3, 4, which are recessed at 5, 5 to engage over the inner edge of the base of the rail. A centrally disposed lug 6 is formed on the opposite end of the plate for engaging by means of the tapered recess 7 with the wedge lock brace 8, which is provided with a suitable bracing web and has an upwardly-extending portion 12 which engages under the head of the rail and conforms to the web and base and wedges thcreagainst. This wedge lock brace 8 has a tapered surface 9 corresponding to the tapered surface 7 of the lug 6, and is notched on its under side at 11 to engage over the edge of the rail base and has a vertical surface at 10 corresponding to the head of the wedge by which the same may be driven securely into place in engagement with the tapered surface 7 of the lug 6. Perforations 13, four in number, are made through the base plate 2 for receiving ordinary railroad spikes 14. A spike at the inside of the rail is positioned so that it engages over the'edge of the rail base, and assists the lugs 3, 4 in retaining the rail in position. Two of the spikes on the outside engage the rail in the same way, one of these spikes being just back of the surface or head 10 on the webge block 8 to prevent its being withdrawn. An additional spike is driven toward the outer end of the base and serves to anchor the same very securely, so that by this method, four spikes are made use of in anchoring this rail to the tie beneath, a portion of the tie being illustrated in Fig. III only. For light work, of course, so many spikes need not be driven. A single spike that would retain the tapered wedge lock brace 8 in place would be really all that would be required for light work. The extra spikes make for extra security and the structure enables the more effective anchoring in this way.

I have shown my improved structure as it is manufactured from melleable iron castings. However, I desire to state that the same can be manufactured from drop forging, or from stampings, or that the same might be made from steel casting or from any suitable cast metal. As soon'as the spike is driven that retains the Wedge in place, the plate becomes practically integral with the rail, and the same is of such form that it braces the rail and prevents its being tipped either inwardly or outwardly. Where the tie is merely a plate, it is only required that means be provided to retain the wedge lock brace in position, or where the plate is secured by other 'means than spikes.

My invention is not a rail joint but is a device that dispenses with anything comparable with a fish plate bolted to the web of the rail. Such bolts are dispensed with. They are highly objectionable when used for various reasons. My device, by very simple and efiective means, secures in effect the extension of the rail base to the full width of the plate. The rail cannot tip without the plate which is effectively secured thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rail fastening, the combination of a base plate with perforations for the reception of spikes disposed so that the spikes shall engage the rail base on both sides, suit- .able lug'means thereon to engage over one edge of the rail base at the edge only, an opposed lug with a tapered inclined engaging surface overhanging, a wedge lock brace, with inclined surface to engage the inclined surface of the said lug, and With an upwardly-projecting part to engage the rail head, adapted to be driven into engagement with the said lug and wedge against the said rail head, web and base for locking the base plate to the rail, and spikes for retaining the said parts in place. and engaging the rail base, one of which is disposed at the head of the wedge to retain the same in place, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

2. In a rail fastening, the combination of a base plate, suitable lug means thereon to engage over one edge of the rail base at the edge only, an opposed lug with a tapered inclined engaging surface overhanging, a Wedge lock brace with inclined surface to engage the inclined surface of the said lug and with an upwardly-projecting part to engage the rail head, adapted to be driven into engagement with the said lug and wedge against the said rail head, web and base for locking the base plate to the rail, and means for attaching said plate and retaining said wedge in place, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

3. In a rail fastening, the combination of a base plate, suitable lug means thereon to engage over one edge of the rail base at the edge only, an opposed lug with a tapered inclined engaging surface over-hanging, a Wedge lock brace with inclined surface to engage the inclined surface of the said lug and with an upwardly projecting part to engage and Wedge against the rail head, web and base adapted to be driven into engagement with the said lug and the said rail for locking the base plate to the rail; and means for retaining said wedge in place, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY P. WHITE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents; Washington, I). G. 

